Our innovative receptionist Annabelle has been working on a special project to make our reception area even more welcoming! Since starting her role at 糖心Vlog, Annabelle has quickly become an important member of our community. One of the ways Annabelle has been sprinkling joy through 糖心Vlog is with this project, so we caught up with her to get the details.
Can you give us an overview of the project?
We had a TV we weren鈥檛 doing much with, so I decided to use it in a way that gets students and staff involved. I ask people to give me a beautiful place, location or memory and find a photo to match what they say and display it on the TV. Then I add a piece of music that comes from the country in the picture or that feels appropriate for the memory. When student鈥檚 see their suggestion on the screen it creates a discussion, a few even stop by to play geo-guesser!
Why do you think this project has been such a hit?
It鈥檚 a bit of fun! A lot of students use it as a talking point to come and have a chat with me. I could have put the Guildhouse logo on the screen and left it, but this has opened pathways for conversation and connection.
Annabelle has been busy using her project to share and show off our favourite memories and places. It made us realise she was overdue her turn in the spotlight. Sitting down for a chat with us, Annabelle took part in our Get to know me in 10, a feature introducing our people. From the humorous to the inspirational, she answered ten questions, so we could find out more about her.
- What鈥檚 your motto/ personal mantra?
I鈥檝e got lots like keep calm, keep cool, keep collected, but one I鈥檝e always channelled is 鈥淎 little kindness goes a long way鈥. With that mindset you can change someone鈥檚 day! - When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to go into the police because I wanted to help make a difference in the community. As I got older, I realised there were other things I wanted to do. At first, I wanted to be an illustrator! But one thing I noticed is when I get to use my people skills I flourish. Then I knew, no matter what I did or what job I had it must be people related. - Are you a cat or dog person? Or neither?
I love both! I鈥檓 a golden retriever in personality. But I do have a soft spot for cats. I love cats! - If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
I would love the ability to speak and understand all languages because that鈥檚 a crazy superpower! I could be super strong, I could fly, but the ability to understand everything around you is a superpower in itself. When the kids apologise for their English or say they aren鈥檛 confident I always tell them no, be proud of yourself, you know more than one language, you鈥檙e holding a conversation with me, and I understand you. I praise them a lot because you open the world up more when you know more. - If you were the only human left on earth, what would you do?
I鈥檇 walk around Buckingham Palace and behind the scenes at museums to see the stuff we can鈥檛 usually see. If you鈥檙e the last person on earth, you have to explore! The world is open to you! - What led you to this career?
I was chatting to my mother, who said she thought I鈥檇 be good in schools. I wasn鈥檛 intending to work reception, but I thought I鈥檇 just come to the interview and see. I was so impressed by the gorgeous building and the staff were so friendly and so personable. It was such a nice atmosphere, so I decided to give reception a try! - What do you like most about your job?
For me, I like to keep busy and to have work that challenges me and has variation. I have a brain and I need to keep it ticking! I enjoy interacting with people and reception is the perfect role for that. No matter the person or time of day I always have an ear. - What advice would you give to a new starter?
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. Everyone is walking along their own path in life, be polite, be kind, be respectful. Even when we are having a bad day, it鈥檚 about reminding ourselves we don鈥檛 know what others are dealing with, so no matter what, be kind to your fellow human beings. - What鈥檚 the biggest misconception people have about your position?
That I鈥檓 not doing much! People think I just answer the phone, greet guests and occasionally email someone. But I鈥檓 doing admin and getting involved, I speak with SLT and staff daily, I assist with the newsletter and write the student bulletin. I feel like my previous experience has helped me master the chaos and become a beautiful swan of reception! - What鈥檚 the worst job you鈥檝e ever had? What did you learn from it?
All my jobs had pros and cons. My first job, at a dessert lounge, wasn鈥檛 the best. I ended up doing things that weren鈥檛 my job, like picking up the boss鈥檚 new shoes and going to the supermarket for ingredients. It was a test of my patience, so I learnt my patience skills from that job.
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Hopefully you know Annabelle, our 鈥渂eautiful swan of reception鈥, a bit better now. Next time you鈥檙e in the reception room at 糖心Vlog be sure to stop and chat with Annabelle about her project or one of the ten things you鈥檝e discovered about her!
